Preparing to TTC with underactive thyroid

[ThingsThatGoHumpInTheNight]

I am finding it difficult to find information on this. Have bloods due soon so will speak to the nurse then, but in the meantime does anyone have any experience or tips? Is advice on folic acid intake the same?

It would be best if you make sure your TSH is normalised and stable before TTC as low thyroxine levels affect your baby's development from early on.

All other general health advice apply to people with hypothyroidism.

TSH is harder to monitor once pregnant as pregnancy affects the binding of the thyroxine to other proteins and you will need to be vigilant about symptoms and signs.

Once your dosing is stable i would suggest you talk to your specialist before TTC to get their best current advice.

wishing you well

Thanks fool, have been stable for a good number of years, and just under care at gp rather than am endo. Will raise at my next blood test for further info/support. Amazing that there is so little out there

Very very good that you are stable for a longer time....

here is a little potted list of current thoughts on hypothyroidism and pregnancy.

Levothyroxine is the drug of choice for TTC and pregnant women.
The dose usually needs to increase by anything from 25-50% during pregnancy.
TSH should be checked immediately (that week) after a positive pregnancy test and then monthly. Your dose of thyroxine should go back to your pre-pregnant level after delivery. Your TSH should be measured 6 weeks after having a baby.

Good thyroxine levels are linked with good outcomes for both mother and baby, excessive vomiting is often a sign of poor control.

Your local hospital should have a joint clinic for pregnant ladies with endocrine problems (most will have gestational diabetes so you will be popular with the students). Unless you have an underlying autoimmune disorder (which I am sure you would have mentioned) there is no particular additional advice for you other than a healthy lifestyle as you TTC.

My hypothyroidism had also been well controlled before ttc. You need your bloods checking at least every trimester and I found my levothyroxine dose needed to be increased from 100 to 125 and then rechecked 6 weeks later in the second trimester. You also need to keep an eye out for symptoms, I felt very tired and had my bloods rechecked but showed anaemia rather than a low tsh.

Sometimes they will let the GP keep an eye on this, but I see a consultant at the hospital (high risk due to other reasons) and he said they like the levels to be higher than would normally be considered acceptable (sorry, can't remember exact recommendations) when pregnant.

The consultant has said that as long as levels were well controlled prior to conception and are closely monitored during pregnancy it shouldn't cause any problems. Am currently 39 weeks and all scans so far have been fine. Have been advised that folic acid requirements are the same in my circumstances.

Best wishes, sorry can't remember the exact levels, baby brain at the moment.

Hello - im very new to all of this... I have an appt next week to remove implant, blood results were fine at my last thyroid check up (June). Ive been on some form of contraception since I was 15 (now 29). DH is 31. We are desperate to start a family but are already anxious about conceiving cos of thyroid/implant/age. any other support or experiences would be really helpful.

Thanks :)

Hi becca are to planning to ttc straight away? We are waiting til next March ish but I am similar to you, 27 been on hormonal contraception since 15, throid issues and worried. DH is so complacent he thinks it will just happen straight away, which worries me even more! Who would have thought the stress starts so early! Let me know how you get on with having your implant out.

It's best if your TSH is under 2 or even better under 1. This is different to the lab range, which is normally 4. Try get tested in the morning as well, it gives a more accurate TSH.

Hey! , DH wants to start ttc straight away, Im kinda thinking of seeing how it goes and letting my body return to its natural state (whatever that may be!). DH is exactly the same. Its reassuring to know that someone else is similar to me. I try not to worry but I cant help it. I'll post back on here with updates xx